Microbend fiber-optic phase shifter

The use of spatially periodic microbend transducers to produce phase shift in single-mode fibers has been investigaed. Phase shift of32deg/mum²of transducer displacement per centimeter of trans-3.7deg/mum². cm for a 1023-μm peroid. Phase shifts as large as 560°/cm of transducer length were obtained with the shorter period transducer. These results are compared with predictions based on coupled-mode theory.     

Mode of chemotherapy does not affect complications with an implantable venous access device

BACKGROUND: Few reports have been made regarding the long term safety of implantable venous access devices used for the delivery of chemotherapeutic agents. The authors' goals were to determine the frequency of complications in patients receiving chemotherapy with these devices; to determine whether complications were associated with the mode of chemotherapy delivery (push/bolus or infusional regimens); and to evaluate the influence of other risk factors, including home-based versus hospital-based administration. METHODS: A total of 152 oncology patients at the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Administration Medical Center in Little Rock, Arkansas (ages 26-81 years; mean age, 62 years), who underwent surgical placement of an Infus-a-Port (Strato, Inc., Beverly, MA) between May 1, 1992 and May 31, 1994, were evaluated retrospectively for postplacement device complications, such as infection, thrombosis, and mechanical failure. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients experienced 1 complication each: 17 episodes of device-related sepsis, cellulitis, or fever of unknown origin; 8 episodes of thrombosis or catheter occlusion; 1 episode of drug extravasation; and 1 mechanical failure. Patient age, frequency of port accession, mode of chemotherapy delivery, tumor type, and neutropenia were evaluated as risk factors, but none was statistically significant. Complications were more frequent during the first 90 days after implantation, but they continued to occur throughout the observation period. CONCLUSIONS: Complications attributable to an implantable venous access device were infrequent in this patient population. No differences in complications for patients receiving home-based versus hospital-based chemotherapy administration were noted, opening the possibility of significant time and cost savings with home treatment.     

On the feasibility of introducing auxetic behavior into thin-walled structures

Classical elasticity theory indicates that the existence of negative Poisson’s ratios (NPRs), i.e. auxetic behavior in materials, will result in an increase in shear stiffness. Motivated by the assumption of gaining potential structural benefits, this study undertook to examine two main issues: (i) the feasibility of inducing auxetic behavior into thin-walled structures; and (ii) in cases where it is possible, whether it leads to shear stiffness enhancement. In the present study, the geometry of a membrane was chosen as a geometric model to address these issues. The results obtained in this study reveal that on the one hand the model effective elastic properties, E¹ and G¹, are lower than those of the material the surface is fabricated from, E¹ ～ 1% of the material elastic modulus and G¹ ～ 80% of its shear modulus. On the other hand, the obtained properties are much higher than those observed for other available auxetics like honeycombs, foams and polymers.     

Feasibility of glioblastoma tissue response mapping with physiologic BOLD imaging using precise oxygen and carbon dioxide challenge

Magnetic Resonance Materials in Physics, Biology and Medicine - Innovative physiologic MRI development focuses on depiction of heterogenous vascular and metabolic features in glioblastoma. For this...